the Influence of Temperature on Hemolysis in Hypotonic Solutions

Decreasing the temperature from 37 degrees C. to 5 degrees C. perceptibly and regularly increases hemolysis in hypotonic sodium chloride and cane sugar solutions, when the erythrocytes of a number of the common mammals are considered. The measurements were carried out with Smith's modification of the method of Hamburger. If following the original method of Hamburger one relies on the point of beginning hemolysis as an index of corpuscle resistance, the facts are not brought out clearly. The effect is in the opposite direction from that which would prevail if the laws governing change of osmotic pressure with change of temperature were the influential factors. The results possibly depend on some change in the permeability or consistence of the erythrocytic protoplasm considered as a semi-permeable membrane.